Upon hatching, young are 9–13 inches (23–33 cm) in length and have much different patterning than as adults. Eggs often hatch in late August or early September. Larger females are able to produce greater numbers of eggs. After copulation, females will lay 8–21 eggs in late June to July. Males detect females through their scent and will pursue females until they become receptive to mating. Mating often takes place in May and early June after emergence from hibernation. Individuals overwinter in underground dens, including rock crevices and abandoned mammal burrows, often sharing these locations with Prairie Rattlesnakes or Milksnakes. When alarmed, individuals will vibrate their tail, and if captured, individuals frequently bite, struggle, and discharge musk and waste in an attempt to be released.
It is primarily a ground-dwelling snake but will climb into bushes and trees in pursuit of prey. The North American Racer does not kill its prey with constriction but instead swallows prey alive. Individuals have even been recorded consuming Prairie Rattlesnakes in the Black Hills. Small mammals, lizards, insects, and other snakes are all major components of this species’ diet. It is a visual predator often hunting with its head elevated off the ground to allow it to look for potential prey. Natural History: This is an active, alert, and swift diurnal snake that uses its speed to capture prey. Habitat: The North American Racer occupies a variety of habitats in North America including deciduous forests, bluff prairies, grasslands, and scrublands. The Western Foxsnake and Gophersnake both have keeled scales whereas the North American Racer has smooth (unkeeled) scales. Both the Western Foxsnake and the Gophersnake look similar to juvenile North American Racers due to their blotched pattern. As adults, the only other snake species that looks similar is the Smooth Greensnake, but North American Racers are considerably larger. The eyes are relatively large (especially as juveniles). Individuals have smooth scales, giving them a shiny appearance, and have divided anal scales. As individuals age, this pattern fades and typically disappears during the second or third year.
COLUBER CONSTRICTOR SERIES
Juvenile snakes have a series of reddish-brown blotches that run the length of the individual, with a row of smaller blotches on each side.
Juvenile North American Racers are much different in appearance from adults. In South Dakota, adults typically are an olive-green to greenish-gray color with a pale-yellow underside. Adults range from 20–65 inches (51–165 cm) in length. Description: The North American Racer is a slender, moderately long snake.
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